Videos from the very first Oscar M. Lopez (OML) Legacy Lectures in November 2018 are now available for streaming online, via the OML Center’s YouTube page. 

The lecture is named and mounted in honor of its namesake, the chairman emeritus of the Lopez Group of Companies. It was launched by the OML Center on the occasion of Mr. Lopez’s 88th birthday in April 2018, underscoring how values of public service, and environmental and societal justice can translate into good business. 

With the theme “The Storm is Coming: A Business Response to Climate Change and Why It Matters,” the 1st OML Legacy Lectures focused on the urgency on businesses to address climate change and its associated risks. This was attended by over 120 guests, mostly from First Philippine Holdings (FPH) and its subsidiaries.

Eileen Gallagher, climate resilience manager for Business for Social Responsibility (BSR) Hong Kong, tackled during her keynote speech how climate change will affect sector-specific industries such as manufacturing, energy or utilities, and financial services. Gallagher highlighted the importance of holistic risk assessment and resilience strategy, the need for existing business models to be changed, and for companies to look more broadly at the different risks associated with climate change. 

A multi-sectoral group of experts also discussed mobilizing the private sector to act towards climate resilience, augmenting government efforts. Cathy Yang of the ABS-CBN News Channel (ANC) moderated the panel composed of Secretary Emmanuel De Guzman, vice chair and executive director of the Philippine Climate Change Commission, Dr. Kenneth Hartigan-Go, head of the Stephen Zuellig School of Development Management at the Asian Institute of Management, Rey Laguda, executive director of the Philippine Business for Social Progress, and Francis Giles Puno, president of FPH. 

OML Center also launched the Philippine Climate Almanac during the Legacy Lectures. The Almanac showcases evidence on the country’s changing climate, highlighting record-breaking and significant statistics of climate-related variables, extreme events, and disasters across seven decades. It was produced in partnership with the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA). 

Watch videos on the first OML Legacy Lectures here:
Keynote Speech
Panel Discussion Part 1
Panel Discussion Part 2
Panel Discussion Part 3

For more information on Philippine climate trends and impacts, visit the State of the Philippine Climate page, the Philippine Climate Change Assessment Report page and the Philippine Climate Almanac page.